Health system gets Tricare contract

Northeast Georgia Health System has signed an agreement with Tricare, the federal government’s health insurance program for military personnel.

Active and retired members of the military can now receive in-network care at both campuses of Northeast Georgia Medical Center, as well as the Rehabilitation Institute and the two New Horizons nursing homes.

Melissa Tymchuk, spokeswoman for the health system, said this is the hospital’s first contract with Tricare. Military personnel have always been able to receive treatment in Gainesville, she said, but they were charged out-of-network rates.